Why This 29-Year-Old Is Choosing to Die on "Her Own Terms"

Brittany Maynard is a 29-year-old newlywed. In 26 days, she will end her life.

In April, Brittany was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest form of brain cancer. Her doctors predicted that she'd only live for six months, and she was told that as her brain tumors grew, death would come slowly and painfully. That's why Brittany decided that she would take her own life before her illness did—she wants to choose when she dies and ensure she is surrounded by her loved ones. This meant moving from California to Oregon, where she would have access to Oregon's Death With Dignity Act.

"There is not a cell in my body that is suicidal or that wants to die," Brittany told People. "I want to live. I wish there was a cure for my disease but there's not. My glioblastoma is going to kill me, and that's out of my control. I've discussed with many experts how I would die from it, and it's a terrible, terrible way to die. Being able to choose to go with dignity is less terrifying."

The Brittany Fund

Currently there are only five states—Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington—where death-with-dignity laws allow terminally ill patients, like Brittany, to take medication that will kill them painlessly. Brittany has chosen to spend her remaining weeks advocating for access to death with dignity rights nationwide. In partnership with end-of-life-rights advocacy organization Compassion & Choices, she launched The Brittany Maynard Fund to fight so that others wouldn't have to uproot their lives as she has.

On November 1, Brittany will pass on her own terms—two days after she celebrates her husband's birthday—in the bed they share, surrounded by the people she loves.

Here at REDBOOK, the selflessness and grace exhibited by Brittany and her family has shaken us all to the core. I share a studio apartment with my husband, which has made us, to say the very least, close. We seldom go more than two hours during the day without consulting each other about some sort of minutia, and when we come home to our 300-square-foot space, there's no escaping each other's moods for better or worse. As a result of living like this for seven years, we've both become a tad codependent, so much so that spending even one night apart—especially when my DVR isn't adequately stocked with The Mindy Project—can feel overwhelming. The idea of losing him forever is unfathomable. While I can't imagine having to make the incredibly brave choice that Brittany made, I'm left feeling that cry-at-your-desk sort of sadness for her husband who has the courage to support her. I can only hope that if I'm ever faced with such a scenario, I'd also be able to find the strength to be selfless.

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